Team Profiles

Terry Phillip

"People think it’s dangerous because it’s exotic, but it’s actually less dangerous than working construction."

Position: Curator of ReptilesResponsibilities: Manages the entire reptile collection and is the primary person dealing with the deadly snakes.

Managing the needs of some of the most dangerous animals in this reptile park (and in the world), Terry is widely known for his work with venomous reptiles. He is also responsible for the rest of the reptile collection at Reptile Gardens, the seasonal Crocodilian and Snake Shows, and year-round outreach programs.

Providing daily animal care and maintenance, Terry cleans and maintains enclosures, conducts feedings, observes the behavior and monitors the health of each animal, sets up breeding programs, and, of course, handles the venomous snakes. He says of his daily routine:

“It’s really nothing glamorous, I basically clean up poo all day.”

How he became a deadly snake handler…

Infatuated with reptiles since childhood, Terry began his career at Reptile Gardens as an Alligator Wrestler, quickly becoming a permanent fixture of the reptile department.

After his predecessor and original mentor, Don Middaugh, moved away to manage a zoo collection in Maryland, Terry took on the responsibilities of his current position as Curator of Reptiles and continued his work under the guidance of Head Curator Ken Earnest.

"Learning from two of the world’s most experienced dangerous reptile curators really cultivated my passion for working with venomous snakes."

Best part of the job

“Not everyone gets to live their childhood dream. Every day is exciting; there’s always something unusual to deal with, like when an overly curious python decides to get too close when I’m cleaning his cage. It’s not every day that a 21-foot, 200 pound python with a bad attitude decides to get feisty... let’s just say the experience was pretty intense.”

Things to know about Terry

He grew up in Colorado and came to Reptile Gardens for the first time during a family vacation.

As young child, he would hang out at local pet stores and read about these exotic animals nonstop.

Maniac is his favorite animal.

He averages 800-1000 interactions with deadly snakes per week, and has only had 1 venomous bite in his career.